Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences at New Jersey City University

New Jersey City University's allied health program outperforms most comparable programs in the state, landing above the 60th percentile among New Jersey schools—a meaningful advantage when Rutgers campuses are the only in-state options earning noticeably more. The $37,691 starting salary beats both state and national medians, while the $28,499 in debt remains manageable with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.76. For families considering this field at an accessible institution (89% acceptance rate, serving many Pell-eligible students), the numbers look solid on paper.

The concern lies in what happens after graduation: earnings actually dip slightly to $36,768 by year four. This isn't catastrophic, but it suggests graduates may be hitting a ceiling quickly in entry-level allied health positions. The pattern often indicates roles that don't require additional credentials for advancement, or a local job market where wage growth is limited without pursuing further education or switching specialization.

For parents, the calculation depends on your child's clarity about career direction. If they're using this degree as a stepping stone to graduate school or a specific health credential, the modest debt load makes that path feasible. If they're planning to enter the workforce directly, understand that the $37,000 salary range may be where they plateau without additional investment in training or licensure.